The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.

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The stubborn truth is that while industry is certainly not perfect, it actually conducts science in a remarkably robust fashion – I would have far more confidence in the reproducibility of an industry study – any industry study, from laboratory research to late-phase clinical trial – than I would in a similar study conducted by university scientists.

I have deep respect for my colleagues in industry (I wouldn’t have stayed here if I didn’t), and have been impressed by their dedication, integrity, and profound determination to do good, and make a difference. They have deliberately chosen to enter the arena, to pursue valiantly the incredibly difficult, risky, and uncertain mission of creating new medicines. They deserve and merit admiration and respect – certainly not derision and scorn.

While industry research isn’t flawless, or anything close, much of the critique industry faces – on subjects ranging from data transparency to subgroup analysis – reflect problems facing medical science as a whole, and responsibly should be viewed in that context.

So criticize industry – please. But let’s also be sure to properly contextualize the obstacles we face within the broader challenges scientists everywhere struggle with in the process of generating new knowledge, and -- we fervently hope – delivering new cures.